OUT OF CONTROL ANGER

 

OUT OF CONTROL ANGER

Esther 2:1 But after Xerxses’ anger had cooled, he began thinking about Vashti and what she had done and the decree he had made. NLT

King Xerxes had reacted in anger when his wife, Vashti, had not obeyed him when he wanted to show off her beauty at a festival he had given for the dignitaries of his kingdom. This festival lasted six months and during that time Vashti had entertained the women of the kingdom. King Xerxes had undoubtedly had too much to drink when this happened and quickly became angry at Vashti’s snub.

We need to learn a lesson from this. It usually does not do anyone any good to react in anger. Usually we make decisions that we later regret. Xerxes began to second-guess himself after he had cooled down, but for him, it was too late. He had banished Vashti from her role as queen of the land when he listened to the advice of his counselors. He now was all alone with no one to be by his side as he ruled. He had made a rash decision and now was left to live with the consequences. When we react in anger, there usually are consequences to pay and often they are hurtful either to ourselves personally or to others.

We can avoid the consequences of our anger when we learn to control it. The only sure way to keep anger in check is to live submissively to the Holy Spirit. When the Lord rules our hearts, we have a much better chance of thinking carefully through our decisions instead of reacting to them. The next time anger grabs hold of you, turn to the Lord and ask Him to help you regain your control. The time it takes to turn to Him and let Him help you will spare you and others much pain and suffering.